Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there will be no ceasefire in Lebanon, adding to tensions in a region already unsettled by the latest round of exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah. His remarks came shortly after air raid sirens sounded across Israel as Hezbollah launched rockets.
The comments also followed remarks from Donald Trump, who told US media that he had asked Netanyahu to be more “low-key” amid the fragile Iran ceasefire. The timing underlined how quickly the broader Middle East crisis has continued to evolve despite diplomatic efforts to reduce the risk of further escalation.
Pressure grows over Lebanon’s place in any deal
UK foreign minister Yvette Cooper said Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement. In additional comments reported by Reuters, Cooper said shipping through the strait of Hormuz must be toll-free.
That issue has become part of the wider ceasefire discussions. Tehran has proposed fees or tolls on vessels seeking safe passage through the strait. Trump suggested on Wednesday that the US and Iran could collect tolls in a joint venture, while the White House said its priority was reopening the strait without limitations.
The strait of Hormuz is a major route for global shipping, and any restrictions or charges on passage would carry wider economic implications. The debate over tolls has added another layer of uncertainty to already tense negotiations.
Concerns over military action and legal basis
The source material also highlighted criticism of the way decisions on military action have been handled. One statement said that “our decisions were that we wouldn’t get involved in the action without a lawful basis, without a viable, thought-through plan.”
That line reflects the continuing scrutiny of whether the responses by Western governments are grounded in legal authority and a clear strategy. As fighting and threats of retaliation continue, governments are being pressed to explain both their military posture and their diplomatic approach.
Israel’s bombing of Lebanon after the US-Iran ceasefire has already prompted condemnation, showing how difficult it may be to keep the current ceasefire efforts from widening into a larger confrontation. The situation remains highly unstable, with diplomacy, military action and public statements all unfolding at speed.
For now, Netanyahu’s declaration that there will be no ceasefire in Lebanon signals that hostilities are not close to ending. With rockets launched by Hezbollah, sirens sounding across Israel, and regional powers still arguing over the terms of any wider agreement, the crisis remains fluid and unresolved.
